Frankly, it will take a strong conservative Republican like Sen. Ted Cruz to right our “ship of state,” which has been listing too far left for many years (“Ted Cruz: A Traitor to Harvard, Princeton,” Rich Lowry, PostOpinion, Aug. 24).

For example, a welfare recipient in New York City receives twice the purchasing power of public-school teachers in many jurisdictions.

Cruz is definitely a shining example of hard work and faith in the American Dream.

He has the courage to swim upstream against self-serving Republicans and an irresponsible Democratic Party.

E. Kampermann, Howard Beach

Bird-brained game

Tell this to the kids, parents and executives who are complaining about the hawks nesting in the lights at Roberto Clemente Ballfield in Corona Park: Red-tailed hawks are one of God’s great gifts, and we’re fortunate to have them as city inhabitants (“Baseball Field Plagued by Nesting Hawks,” Aug. 27).

Appreciate this city “tail” instead of crying “fowl!”

Maybe they should play some day games, like in bygone times when we were kids.

John Cirillo, Chappaqua

That wily Miley

The statement by Miley Cyrus’ father that he loves his daughter unconditionally is ludicrous (“Billy Ray Cyrus Sticks Up for Miley’s Scandalous VMA Performance,” Aug. 27).

Of course he does, and he should. But that does not mean that he should not teach his child what is and is not inappropriate behavior.

The father, in this case, is immature himself. Age is not often an indicator for maturity.

The entertainment industry bends over backwards to shock society to stay in the limelight, no matter how shocking.

Anna Jackson, Elmhurst

The Post gave Cyrus an XXX headline for her presence — I’d hardly call it a performance — at MTV’s Video Music Awards (“VMAs Go the XXXtra Miley,” Aug. 26).

I give her a DDD: disgusting, disgraceful and desperate. Maybe growing up is just too hard for her to do.

M. Cascone, Middle Village

Fotog danger

Alec Baldwin certainly is a hothead, but he is not the only celebrity who physically or verbally objects to having photographers in their face wherever they go (“Hothead Alec Baldwin Assaults Another Photographer,” Aug. 28).

Princess Diana’s death demonstrated how dangerous it can become.

In a world of telescopic lenses, there is really no need for close-up contact.

It’s not good enough to say that this is the price of being a celebrity. Being mobbed is objectionable and frightening.

There ought to be a law that guarantees a 50-yard privacy space around every celebrity, except for red-carpet events.

Bob Brakel, Butler, NJ

Moderate Joe

The Republican Party should embrace more candidates like mayoral hopeful Joe Lhota (“Pro-Pot J.Lho Different Kind of Republican,” Aug. 27).

He is pro-liberty regarding abortion rights, same-sex marriage and other so-called “social issues.”

Too many Republican politicians merely want to shove their interpretations of Christianity down our throats.